If you are a parent with a small child – or two like me, you have no doubt experienced the difference between vacationing with children versus without children. Once you have kids, vacations are less about a relaxing few days in the mountains or at the beach and more of a testament to your ability to 1) refrain from packing four times the amount of stuff you actually need and 2) accept that someone will now need to go to the bathroom a few minutes after you pass an exit.
For this reason, my wife and I have started to replace these tests of emotional strength with short staycations. In addition to lessening our financial commitment and the amount of laundry we have to do, this alternative saves us a lot of mental and emotional fatigue. By staying in town, we can be in and out quickly. If something does not work out, we can just head back home.
To have a great staycation, there are a few rules you should follow:
- Embrace the chaos: With less pressure to make the most of your trip and less focus on the amount of money you’ve invested, you can truly shed the self-inflicted burden of a perfect trip. So what if you went to a local children’s museum and your kid had a meltdown? You can just go home and try again tomorrow. Do you know what that feeling is? It’s called freedom.
- Become a tourist: Everyone goes on vacation to experience something new, but in reality, we are just looking to get out of a rut. And there are a lot of ways to do that right in your backyard. Make use of resources like Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor to check out the landmarks and must-see attractions in your area. You’ve most likely never visited any of these places because “that’s what tourists do.” There is a reason why they do it, and that reason is probably because it is awesome.
- Leave work at the office: According to a recent survey, one in 10 Americans still spends an hour or more a day working while on vacation. While work is important, this pretty much defeats the purpose of taking a vacation. Ditch the tech as much as possible to avoid the temptation of work. We always want to capture memories and get that perfect shot for the ‘gram, but it might not be worth it if we are also spending time replying to emails about proper PowerPoint formatting from Debbie.
- Don’t succumb to pressure: When you’re constantly seeing the great things your friends and family are doing, it is easy to feel guilty and second guess your decision to not go all out on a vacation. Exploring your own backyard doesn’t make you any less of a great parent. Instead, you’re a parent that wants your kids to fully understand where they are being raised. And hometown pride is never underrated.
- Just stay home: At the end of the day, we can get creative and have a great time at home. Pick a show to watch together, build a family pillow fort, create a customized food menu, have an outdoor cinema night or host game night. Whatever you decide to do for staycation, just have fun with it.
As my kids become old enough to handle things like long flights and being able to sit at a restaurant table for at least 10 minutes without throwing something, I will look at expanding my range. Until then, I’ll stick to replacing the stressful trip with a good old family staycation – and I highly recommend you do the same.
Parent Reviews - "We feel like our children are always happy and excited to go to school each day!""
moreReady for Spring Cleaning? Get your Child Involved!
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreThe Power of Puppet Play in Child Development
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
more Exhausted from the election? These pre-K and kindergarten voters may brighten your mood. ÂÂ
moreNeed Some New Books in Your Mix? Check out Og's Story Time Book List
moreParent Review - "During this whole epidemic they have done everything they could ....."
moreOnline with Og, Exploring Land Transportation!
moreBuilding Social, Emotional and Academic Growth, Amidst a Pandemic
moreOnline with Og at Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreJoin Primrose's Online Curriculum with Og the bookworm!
moreStory time book list
moreComplimentary Primrose Schools Online Weekly Curriculum!
moreParent Review - "We Love Primrose School of Ken Caryl!"
moreMore than just a cute puppet..
moreLet go of "Parent Guilt"
moreDe-Stressing and Spending Quality Time with Your Kids
more6 Ways to Help Your Preschooler Make Friends
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreIt's Hot Out There! Summer Skin Care Tips for Your Child
moreHow Working Parents Stay Connected with Their Kids During the Summer
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrimrose Reviews from Real Moms
moreDo you have a "Threenager"? Confessions from the Mom of a Threenager
moreBattle Bedwetting with These 4 Tips!
moreKid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes & Crafts
moreParent Testimonial
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow Primrose Differs from Montessori
moreCelebrate Back to School with these 5 Crafts & Activities!
more5 Family Staycation Ideas!
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
more5 Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July at Home
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreMy Kid is Turning into a Bully! How Do I Stop it?
moreDon't Pass the Phone: 7 Alternatives to Screen Time
moreOne Size Does Not Fit All - Tips for Raising Siblings by Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreYelp & FB - Parent Reviews of Primrose Ken Caryl
moreStraight from the Source: Why Moms Love SwimLabs Littleton
moreParent Reviews of The Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow to Ask About Your Child's Art
moreParent Testimonials
moreHow to Survive Toddler Tantrums - Pointers for Parents
moreReturning to Work After Maternity Leave
moreParent Review Primrose School of Ken Caryl - YELP
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHoliday Gift Guide for Ages 0-5
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreKid-Friendly Thanksgiving Decorations & Crafts
moreHow to Handle Food Allergies During Trick-or-Treating
more4 Simple Ways to Protect Your Family Against Cold & Flu Season
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrep Step: What to Pack in Case of a Disaster?
moreParent Facebook Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePositive Parenting Tips and Scripts
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreFacebook Parent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreSnacktivity 101 - Healthy and quick Banana Fruit Sushi
morePreschool Classrooms at the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrimrose School of Ken Caryl - Highly Recommended
moreHow to Prepare Your Child For Riding a Bike
moreParent Review of the Primrose School of Ken Caryl
more4 Reasons Why Reading to Babies is Beneficial
moreStart Your Child's Story the Right Way
more5 Ways to Involve Your Child in Household Chores
moreParent Review - The Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreThe Power of Toddler Compliments
more